Humidification device and air treatment system

ABSTRACT

A humidifying device comprising an air duct penetrating axially through the humidifying device, a water tank ( 201   b ) for storing water, and a filter element ( 204   b ) disposed in the water tank. The water tank ( 201   b ) surrounds the air duct. Further disclosed is an air handling system.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention belongs to the field of air handling equipmentand, in particular, to a humidifying device and an air handling system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Air humidity, as a parameter for describing the physical state of theair, is closely related to the health of the human body. In general,when the relative to humidity of the air is between 40%-70%, the humanintuitive feel is relatively comfortable. During the winter heatingperiod and the spring sandstorm period in China's northern area, therelative humidity of the indoor air is very low, the human body feelsuncomfortable, and therefore the indoor humidification is verynecessary. Currently on the market, mainstream humidification technologycan be divided into three categories: electric heating technology,ultrasonic technology and wet film type humidification technology.However, for the electric heating technology, the power consumption ishigh and the security is poor; the ultrasonic technology is not good forthe health of the human body; and for the wet film humidifyingtechnology, the wet film is easy to breed bacteria and molds; therefore,these three humidification technology is not the best humidificationmeans, and it is of great value and significance to find a humidifyingdevice which is ideal for health.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of this, the technical problem to be solved by the presentinvention is to provide a humidifying device which is ideal for healthto overcome the deficiencies of the prior art. One of the objects of thepresent invention is to provide a humidifying device. In order toprovide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosedembodiments, a brief summary is given below. This summary is not anextensive overview, and is intended to neither identify key or criticalelements nor delineate the scope of protection of such embodiments. Itssole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as aprelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

In some optional embodiments, the humidifying device comprises an airduct penetrating axially through the humidifying device, a water tankfor storing water, and a filter element disposed in the water tank,wherein the water tank surrounds the air duct.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an air handlingsystem.

In some optional embodiments, the air handling system comprises a baseand one or more air handling devices disposed on the base, the one ormore air handling devices comprising at least one of a humidifyingdevice, a dehumidifying device and a purifying device, wherein thehumidifying device comprises an air duct penetrating axially through thehumidifying device, a water tank for storing water, and a filter elementdisposed in the water tank, wherein the to water tank surrounds the airduct.

With the above embodiment, the following effects can be achieved: asimple structure, a good safety performance, no “white-powder”pollution, and easy to clean the device; and the principle of naturalevaporation is adopted, such that the present invention is more greenand healthy.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, one or moreembodiments comprise the features hereinafter fully described andparticularly pointed out in the claims. The following description andthe accompany drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative aspectsand are indicative only of a few of the various ways in which theprinciples of the various embodiments may be employed. Other advantagesand novel features will become apparent from the following detaileddescription when considered in conjunction with the drawings, and thedisclosed embodiments are intended to include all such aspects and theirequivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompany drawings constituting part of the present invention areused to provide a further understanding of the present invention; andexemplary embodiments and illustrations thereof of the present inventionare used to explain the present invention, and do not unduly limit thepresent invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an air handling system in someembodiments;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the air handling system in someembodiments;

FIG. 3 is a first structural schematic view of a first terminal block insome embodiments;

FIG. 4 is a second structural schematic view of the first terminal blockin some embodiments;

FIG. 5 is a first structural schematic view of a second terminal blockin some embodiments;

FIG. 6 is a second structural schematic view of the second terminalblock in some embodiments;

FIG. 7 is a structural schematic view of the first and second terminalblocks mating with each other in some embodiments;

FIG. 8 is a first structural schematic view of a base in someembodiments;

FIG. 9 is a second structural schematic view of the base in some toembodiments;

FIG. 10 is a first structural schematic view of a top cover in someembodiments;

FIG. 11 is a second structural schematic view of the top cover in someembodiments;

FIG. 12 is a third structural schematic view of the top cover in someembodiments;

FIG. 13 is a first structural schematic view of a dehumidifying devicein some embodiments;

FIG. 14 is a second structural schematic view of the dehumidifyingdevice in some embodiments;

FIG. 15 is a third structural schematic view of the dehumidifying devicein some embodiments;

FIG. 16 is a fourth structural schematic view of the dehumidifyingdevice in some embodiments;

FIG. 17 is a fifth structural schematic view of the dehumidifying devicein some embodiments;

FIG. 18 is a first schematic view of a purifying device in someillustrative embodiments;

FIG. 19 is a second schematic view of the purifying device in someillustrative embodiments;

FIG. 20 is a third schematic view of the purifying device in someillustrative embodiments;

FIG. 21 is a first schematic view of a humidifying device in someillustrative embodiments;

FIG. 22 is a second schematic view of the humidifying device in someillustrative embodiments;

FIG. 23 is a third schematic view of the humidifying device in someillustrative embodiments;

FIG. 24 is a fourth schematic view of the humidifying device in someillustrative embodiments;

FIG. 25 is a fifth schematic view of the humidifying device in someillustrative embodiments;

FIG. 26 is a first schematic view of a further humidifying device insome illustrative embodiments; to FIG. 27 is a second schematic view ofthe further humidifying device in some illustrative embodiments;

FIG. 28 is a third schematic view of the further humidifying device insome illustrative embodiments; and

FIG. 29 is a fourth schematic view of the further humidifying device insome illustrative embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description and the accompany drawings fully illustratespecific embodiments of the present invention so as to enable thoseskilled in the art to practice the same. Other embodiments may includestructural, logical, electrical, procedural, and other changes. Theembodiments represent only possible variations. Individual componentsand functions are optional, and the order of operations may vary, unlessexplicitly required. Portions and features of some embodiments may beincluded in or replace portions and features of other embodiments. Thescope of the embodiments of the present invention encompasses the fullscope of the claims, and all available equivalents of the claims. Inthis context, these embodiments of the present invention may beindividually or collectively referred to by the term “invention” forconvenience only, and if in fact more than one invention is disclosed,it is not intended to automatically limit that the application is withinthe scope of any single inventive or inventive concept.

Reference is made to FIGS. 1 and 2, which are perspective and sectionalviews, respectively, of an air handling system in some embodiments ofthe present invention.

The air handling system comprises a base 5 and one or more air handlingdevices disposed on the base 5. Each of the air handling devicescomprises an air inlet, an air outlet, and a power-supply structure. Inthis embodiment, the air handling system has a dehumidifying device 4, apurifying device 3, and a humidifying device 2 which are sequentiallyassembled from the bottom to the top. It should be understood that theembodiments of the present invention are not intended to be limitedthereto, other arrangements may be used, and modular devices havingother functions may also be used.

In some illustrative embodiments, with the modular design of the airhandling device, the choice of different modules achieves differentfunctions, to giving more choices to a user. The combination of thevarious modules adopts the upper-lower stacking method, which can fullysave space.

In some illustrative embodiments, the base 5 comprises an air inlet, anair outlet, an external power source, and an output power-supplystructure for powering the adjacent air handling device.

In some illustrative embodiments, the base 5 is connected to theadjacent air handling device by means of magnetic attraction or viaconnecting members. The adjacent air handling devices are connected toeach other by means of magnetic attraction or via connecting members.The top cover 1 is connected to the adjacent air handling device bymeans of magnetic attraction or via connecting members.

In some illustrative embodiments, the various parts are convenientlyconnected by means of magnetic attraction or via connecting members.

Preferably, the base 5 is connected to the adjacent air handling deviceby means of magnetic attraction. The adjacent air handling devices areconnected to each other by means of magnetic attraction. The top cover 1is connected to the adjacent air handling device by means of magneticattraction. The magnetic attraction is preferably carried out byproviding at least one magnetic component on the bottom surface of thetop cover 1, on the top and bottom surfaces of the air handling device,and on the top surface of the base 5, respectively. The magneticcomponent on the bottom surface of the top cover 1 positionallycorresponds to the magnetic component on the top surface of theuppermost air handling device, and the polarities of the correspondingmagnetic components are opposite. The magnetic component on the topsurface of the base 5 positionally corresponds to the magnetic componenton the bottom surface of the lowermost air handling device, and thepolarities of the corresponding magnetic components are opposite. Themagnetic component on the top surface of an air handling devicecorresponds to the magnetic component on the bottom surface of theadjacent air handling device, and the polarities of the correspondingmagnetic components are opposite. The magnetic component may be arrangedon the bottom surface of the top cover 1, on the top and bottom surfacesof the air handling device, and on the centre or circumference of thetop surface of the base.

In some illustrative embodiments, the connection of the various modulardevices of the air handling system by means of magnetic attraction makesboth the structure of the air handling system and the installationprocess be simple. The user can complete the installation by himselfwithout using any tool. In addition, the magnetic attraction also makesthe structure of the installed air handling system be firm.

Preferably, the base 5 is connected to the adjacent air handling devicevia connecting members. The adjacent air handling devices are connectedto each other via connecting members. The top cover 1 is connected tothe adjacent air handling device via connecting members.

Preferably, the connecting members may be a slot and a jaw disposed ontwo adjacent faces, respectively. The jaw is snap-fitted into the slot,so that the various parts are connected together.

Preferably, the connecting members may also be of a guide groove andguide post structure. In some illustrative embodiments, the bottom ofthe top cover 1 and the bottom surface of the air handling device arerespectively provided with at least one guide groove. The top surface ofthe air handling device and the top surface of the base 5 arerespectively provided with at least one guide protrusion, and the guidegroove and the guide protrusion which are provided on the adjacent twosurfaces positionally correspond to each other such that the guideprotrusion is inserted into the guide groove. The present application isnot limited to this, it is also possible for the air handling device tobe provided with a guide groove on one adjoining surface and with aguide post on the other adjoining surface, as long as the insertedconnection of the guide groove and the guide post is achieved, and thetypes of terminal blocks on each surface are not limited. The guidegroove and the guide post can not only realize the structural mating,but also play a guiding role when used together with other connectingstructures. Preferably, the guide groove may be provided with anelectrically conductive sheet, and the guide post is an electricconductor. This arrangement enables the guide groove and the guide postto perform a guiding function but also part of the electrical connectionfunction.

In some illustrative embodiments, an air outlet of the top cover 1 isprovided on the top surface of the top cover 1, and the bottom surfaceof the top cover 1 is provided with an air inlet. The air inlet of thetop cover 1 is connected to the air outlet of the adjacent air handlingdevice. The air inlet of the base 5 is provided on the bottom surface ofthe base 5, and the air outlet of the base 5 is provided on the topsurface of the base 5. When multiple air handling devices are connected,the air outlet of each of the air handling devices is connected to theair inlet of the to adjacent air handling device.

In some illustrative embodiments, the air inlet of the air handlingdevice adjacent to the base 5 has two arrangements as follows:

In some illustrative embodiments, the air inlet of the air handlingdevice adjacent to the base 5 is provided on a side wall of the airhandling device. The orientation of the air outlet of the top cover 1and of the air inlet of the air handling device adjacent to the base 5both point to the surroundings in an unobstructed manner. Preferably,the bottom surface of the air handling device may be not provided withthe air inlet, and the air duct between the air handling device and thebase 5 is not provided; in this case, the wind enters from the air inletof the air handling device and would not enter from the air inlet of thebase 5. Preferably, the bottom surface of the air handling device may beprovided with the air inlet, and the air duct between the air handlingdevice and the base 5 is provided; in this case, the wind can enter fromboth the air inlet of the air handling device and the air inlet of thebase 5.

In some illustrative embodiments, the air inlet of the air handlingdevice adjacent to the base 5 is provided on the bottom surface of theair handling device. The air outlet of the base 5 is connected to theair inlet of the adjacent air handling device. The orientation of theair outlet of the top cover 1 and of the air inlet of the base 5 bothpoint to the surroundings in an unobstructed manner. In this case, thewind enters from the air inlet of the base. In this solution, the airhandling device adjacent to the base 5 needs to have a sufficientstrength, and is preferably of a metal material.

In some illustrative embodiments, each of the air outlets may be agrid-like air inlet or a hole-shaped air inlet.

Reference is made to FIGS. 3 to 7, which are respectively first andsecond structural schematic views of a first terminal block, first andsecond structural schematic views of a second terminal block, and astructural schematic view of the first and second terminal blocks matingwith each other in some embodiments of the present invention.

In some illustrative embodiments, the top cover 1, the base 5 and theair handling devices of the air handling system are provided withconnectors which can be used as the structure of a power sourceconnection interface and a communication connection interface for thetop cover 1, the base 5 and the air handling devices. The connectorcomprises a first terminal block 9 and a second to terminal block 10.The first terminal block 9 has a boss 904 on a side wall thereof, and atleast one connecting hole 901 is provided on the boss 904. In thisembodiment, a side wall of the second terminal block 10 is provided witha groove 140 which matches with the boss 904, and at least oneconnecting post 110 which matches with the connecting hole 901 isprovided in the groove 140. When the first terminal block 9 mates withthe second terminal block 10, the boss 904 is embedded into the groove140 and is snap-fitted with the groove 140. When the first terminalblock 9 mates with the second terminal block 10, the connecting post 110is inserted into the connecting hole 901 so that the outer surface ofthe connecting post 110 makes contact with the inner surface of theconnecting hole 901. At least one first terminal 902 electricallyconnected to the connecting hole 901 is provided on a side wall of thefirst terminal block 9 parallel to the axial direction of the connectinghole 901. At least one first fixing seat 903 is respectively provided onopposite side walls of the first terminal block 9 perpendicular to theside wall on which the boss 904 is provided. At least one secondterminal 120 electrically connected to the connecting post 110 isprovided on a side wall of the second terminal block 10 opposite to thegroove 140 on which the connecting post 110 is provided. At least onesecond fixing seat 130 is respectively provided on opposite side wallsof the second terminal block 10 perpendicular to the side wall on whichthe groove 140 is provided. The inner wall or the inner bottom wall ofthe connecting hole 901 may be of a material having an electricallyconductive function, or may be a mechanism having a communication pin.Preferably, a functional contact element may be specially provided inthe connecting hole 901. The functional contact element is anelectrically conductive sheet or a communication pin. When the firstterminal block 9 mates with the second terminal block 10, the outersurface of the connecting post 110 makes contact with the functionalcontact element. The present application is such that the air handlingdevice is provided with a first terminal block 9 on one adjoiningsurface and with a second terminal block 10 on the other adjoiningsurface, as long as the inserted connection of the first terminal block9 and the second terminal block 10 is achieved, and the types ofterminal blocks on each surface are not limited. The movement to achievethe mating of wires may be a linear movement, or may be a rotationalmovement. In addition, in accordance with this mating method, differentnumbers of pairs of terminals can be designed according to the number ofthe wires (of strong or weak currents) to required to mate.

The following describes the structures of the various parts of the airhandling system by way of example. It should be understood that thestructures of the various parts are not limited to the followingembodiments.

Reference is made to FIGS. 8 and 9, which are respectively first andsecond structural schematic views of a base in some embodiments of thepresent invention.

In some illustrative embodiments, an omni-directional wheel 501 isprovided beneath the bottom surface of the base 5 to facilitate movementof the air handling system.

In some illustrative embodiments, the upper surface of the base 5 isprovided with a trench. Preferably, the trench is of a circular ringstructure concentric with the base. The trench can be used for wirecoiling to facilitate the storage of wires.

In some illustrative embodiments, the power-supply output structure ofthe base 5 is specified as a base power source mating interface 503. Thebase 5 may also comprise a base communication mating interface forcommunication connection. Of course, the base power source matinginterface 503 and the base communication mating interface may beintegrated into one interface. The base 5 may also comprise a base powersource output interface 502 for connection to an external power source.The power source mating interface 503, the base communication matinginterface and the base power source output interface 502 employ thestructure of the first terminal block or the second terminal block ofthe connector as described above.

Reference is made to FIGS. 10-12, which are respectively first, secondand third structural schematic views of a top cover in some embodimentsof the present invention.

In some illustrative embodiments, the air handling system furthercomprises a top cover 1, which is disposed on the one or more airhandling devices. The top cover 1 comprises an air inlet 191, an airoutlet 102, and a power-supply input structure for receiving the powersupplied from the adjacent air handling device. The power-supply inputstructure is provided on the bottom surface of top cover 1. Thepower-supply input structure is specified as top cover power sourcemating interface 107. The air handling system may further comprise a topcover communication mating interface 108 provided on the bottom surfaceof the top cover for communication connection. Of course, the top coverpower source to mating interface 107 and the top cover communicationmating interface 108 may be integrated into one interface. The top coversource mating interface 107 and the top cover communication matinginterface 108 employ the structure of the first terminal block or thesecond terminal block of the connector as described above. The top cover1 is further provided with a top cover magnet 109 and a guide post 104on the bottom surface thereof. The top cover magnet 109 is theaforementioned magnetic component, and the guide post 104 is of theaforementioned guide post structure.

In some illustrative embodiments, a side wall of the top cover 1comprises an inner wall and an outer wall, and a spacing is arrangedbetween the inner wall and the outer wall. The top cover 1 is furtherprovided with a detection unit. The detection unit comprises a detectionair inlet 181, a detection air outlet 182, a detection fan 184 andsensors. The detection air inlet 181 and the detection air outlet 182are respectively provided on the surface of the outer wall 106 of thetop cover. The detection fan 184 and the sensors are provided in thespacing between the detection air inlet 181 and the detection air outlet182. In this embodiment, the sensors comprise a VOC (volatile organiccompounds) sensor 183, a PM2.5 detection device 185, and a temperatureand humidity sensor 186, and the like. It should be understood that thepresent invention is not limited to this, and the sensors may be othertypes of sensors for detecting air indicators. In some illustrativeembodiments, the quality of the air can be detected by using thedetection unit.

In some illustrative embodiments, a motor 104 is further provided in thetop cover 1. The motor 104 is used to power the air handling system.

In some illustrative embodiments, a protrusion is provided on the topsurface of the top cover 1, and a display screen 101 is provided on thesurface of the protrusion. The display screen 101 serves as ahuman-computer interaction interface for displaying the currentoperating state, the operation being performed by the user, and thelike. The outer periphery of the display screen is provided with acircular indicator lamp strip, which may serve as an indication ofmachine operation, stop, or malfunction. The indicator lamp strip canalso be used to indicate air quality, for example, different colours ofthe indicator lamp strip represent different air quality levels.

In addition to the basic controls, the top cover 1 can also be equippedwith an infrared transceiver for controlling other household appliancesin some to illustrative embodiments.

Reference is made to FIGS. 13-17, which are respectively first throughfifth structural schematic views of a dehumidifying device in someembodiments of the present invention.

In some illustrative embodiments, the air handling device may be adehumidifying device 4. The dehumidifying device 4 comprises a heatexchanger 404, a water receiving tray 406, and a water tank 401. Thewater receiving tray 406 is located at the top of the water tank 401,and at least one water outlet hole, which is in communicating with thewater tank 401, is provided on the water receiving tray 406. The anglebetween the heat exchanger 404 and the plane where the water receivingtray 406 is located is not equal to 90 degrees. An extension line of thelower end of the heat exchanger 404 in the axial direction of thedehumidifying device intersects the plane where the water receiving tray406 is located.

In some illustrative embodiments, the heat exchanger 404 is not disposedhorizontally or vertically above the water receiving tray 406 as in theprior art, but the heat exchanger 404 is disposed obliquely above thewater receiving tray 406, so that the condensed water generated when theheat exchanger 404 is operated may flow into the water receiving tray406 along the bottom end of the heat exchanger 404 and then flow intothe water tank 401 from the water receiving tray 406. Optionally, a holein communication with the water tank 401 is provided on the waterreceiving tray 406, so that condensed water flows into the water tank401 through the hole. Optionally, the hole of the water receiving tray406 for draining the condensed water may also be directly connected to awater outlet pipe such that the condensed water is discharged from thedehumidifying device through the water outlet pipe.

In some illustrative embodiments, the dehumidifying device comprises anair inlet 431 and an air outlet 432. The air outlet 432 is provided on adehumidifying top cover 408 of the dehumidifying device. In thisembodiment, the dehumidifying device 4 is arranged to be connected tothe base 5, so that the air inlet 431 has two arrangements as describedabove. The air outlet 431 is provided on a side wall of thedehumidifying device and/or a dehumidifying chassis 410.

In some illustrative embodiments, a fixing plate 405 of the heatexchanger 404 is fixedly connected to the side wall of the dehumidifyingdevice. A housing to of the dehumidifying device comprises a frontdehumidifying housing 402, a rear dehumidifying housing 403, adehumidifying top cover 408 and a dehumidifying chassis 410, and thefixing plate 405 of the heat exchanger 404 is fixed to the frontdehumidifying housing 402. Optionally, the heat exchanger 404 is fixedlyconnected to the fixing plate 405 of the heat exchanger 404 via bolts.

In some illustrative embodiments, both the heat exchanger 404 and thewater receiving tray 406 are provided within the housing. The water tank401 is separate from the housing, and a groove for having the water tank401 placed therein is provided on the machine housing, such that thewater tank 401 can be freely detached from the housing of thedehumidifying device for the convenience of the user.

The front dehumidifying housing 402 and the rear dehumidifying housing403 may be fixedly connected via a slot or a bolt or the like, and therear dehumidifying housing 403 is provided with a groove for having thewater tank 401 placed therein. The water receiving tray 406 is placed onthe top of the groove of the rear dehumidifying housing 403. The waterreceiving tray 406 may be integrated with or separate from the reardehumidifying housing 403. Optionally, a slide rail may be provided onthe groove and a slideway may be provided in the corresponding positionon the bottom of the water tank 401 to facilitate the removal of thewater tank 401 more quickly and effortlessly.

In some illustrative embodiments, the air inlet 431 may be disposed onat least a portion of a side wall of the machine housing from the bottomof the machine housing to the bottom of the water tank 401. As shown inFIG. 12, the air inlet 431 is disposed on the entire side wall of themachine housing from the bottom of the machine housing to the bottom ofthe water tank 401.

Optionally, the air inlet 431 may be disposed on part of the side wall,for example, only the front dehumidifying housing 402 or the reardehumidifying housing 403 is provided with the air inlet 431. Of course,the air inlet 431 may also be provided on the side wall of thedehumidifying device above the water tank 401.

In some optional embodiments, the dehumidifying device further comprisesa compressor 407 and an electrical cabinet. The compressor 407 and theelectrical cabinet are located at the bottom of the dehumidifyingdevice, as shown in the figure, and the compressor 407 is generallybulky and is thus placed in the space enclosed by the frontdehumidifying housing 402. In order to save space, the to electricalcabinet is placed at the bottom of the space enclosed by the reardehumidifying housing 403, and a groove for having the water tank 401placed therein is provided on the rear dehumidifying housing 403, suchthat a certain space is provided from the groove to the dehumidifyingchassis 410, and the electrical cabinet is placed in the space. Theelectrical cabinet is used to store a circuit board.

In some optional embodiments, a lower power source interface 412 and alower communication interface 411 are provided on the dehumidifying topcover 408. A corresponding upper power source interface 413 is furtherprovided on the humidifying chassis. Further, the lower power sourceinterface 412 and the lower communication interface 411 may be the sameinterface. The lower power source interface 412, the lower communicationinterface 411 and the upper power source interface 413 may employ thestructure of the first terminal block or the second terminal block ofthe connector as described above.

In some optional embodiments, the dehumidifying device is furtherprovided with a connecting structure which is connected to the otherdevices as described above; the connecting structure may be a connectingmember structure as described above, or a guiding structure as describedabove, such as a guide groove and a guide post, the guide post and thecorresponding guide groove of the respective devices being arranged tomate with each other. A guide groove 414 and a guide post 415 arerespectively provided on the dehumidifying top cover 408 and thedehumidifying chassis 410. In addition, a lower magnet 416 and an uppermagnet 413 may be also respectively provided on the dehumidifying topcover 408 and the dehumidifying chassis 410, so that the dehumidifyingdevice is connected to other devices by means of attraction. The lowermagnet 416 and the upper magnet 413 may be the aforementioned magneticcomponents.

In some illustrative embodiments, a lower power source interface 412 anda lower communication interface 411 are provided on the dehumidifyingtop cover 408. A corresponding upper power source interface 413 isfurther provided on the dehumidifying chassis 410. Each of theinterfaces may be the connector structure as described above, and isarranged to correspond to the position of the corresponding interface ofthe other devices.

In some illustrative embodiments, the heat exchanger 404 can also beplaced horizontally in the dehumidifying device, since the area wherecondensed water to is dropped from the heat exchanger when the heatexchanger 404 is placed horizontally is relatively large, the size ofthe water receiving tray 406 is correspondingly increased in accordancewith the horizontal area of the heat exchanger 404.

With the dehumidifying device of the above embodiment, the followingeffects can be achieved: the size of the dehumidifier is reduced; thearea of the water receiving tray is no longer restricted by the size ofthe heat exchanger; and the heat exchange efficiency is improved.

Reference is made to FIGS. 18-20, which are respectively first throughthird schematic views of a purifying device in some illustrativeembodiments of the present invention.

The purifying device 3 comprises a front purifying housing 301, apurifying module 302, a rear purifying housing 303, a purifying topcover 304 provided above the purifying device 3, and a purifying disk305 provided below the purifying device 3. The purifying module 302 ofthe purifying device 3 is fixed to the rear purifying housing 303. Therear purifying housing 303 can be pulled during replacement, so that thepurifying module 302 can be removed. The purifying device 3 maycomprise, in addition to the purifying module 302, a germicidal UV lampor a nano-copper or -silver sterilization filter, anion, fragrance andthe like.

The purifying device 3 is further provided with an upper power sourcemating interface 306, an upper mating interface 307, a lower powersource mating interface 308 and a lower communication mating interface309 employing the structure of the first terminal block or the secondterminal block of the connector as described above. The purifying device3 is further provided with an upper magnet 310 and a lower magnet 311employing the structure of the magnetic components as described above.The purifying device 3 is further provided with the structure of a guidepost 312 and a guide groove 313 as described above.

Reference is made to FIGS. 21-25, which are respectively first throughfifth schematic views of a humidifying device in some illustrativeembodiments of the present invention.

In some illustrative embodiments, the humidifying device comprises awater tank 202 for storing water, a water pump 205, and a water channel241 connected to the water pump 205 via a lower water pipe 252. Thewater pump 205 is to connected to the water tank 202 via an upper waterpipe 251. The water pump 205 pumps the water from the water tank 202 tothe water channel 241.

In this embodiment, the humidifying device is a pure humidifying devicewhich pumps water from the water tank 202 to the water channel 241 byusing the water pump 205 and diffuses the water in the water channel 241into the air by means of natural evaporation, so as to achieve theeffect of humidification; in addition, a water level monitoring devicemay be provided in the water channel 241 to detect the level of water inthe water channel 241 in real time, when the water level is lower than aset water level, the water pump 205 is started to pump water, and whenthe water level reaches the set water level, the water pump 205 isstopped.

In some illustrative embodiments, the water channel 241 is provided witha water retaining sheet 2411 therein. The height of the water retainingsheet 2411 is smaller than the height of an outer wall 2412 of the waterchannel 241. The water retaining sheet 2411 functions to slow down theflow rate of the water when the water pump 205 pumps the water into thewater channel 241, so as to prevent the water from spilling out of thewater channel 241. The shape of the water retaining sheet 2411 may be asshown in FIG. 15, and the height of the water retaining sheet 2411 islower than that of the outer wall 2412 of the water channel 241, and isdesigned to be serrated to achieve the effect of slowing water flow.

In some illustrative embodiments, a water filter 206 is further providedwithin the water tank 202. The upper water pipe 251 extends into thewater tank 202 and is connected to the water filter 206. The waterfilter 206 functions to purify the water so that the water entering thewater channel 241 is purified by the water filter 206 to removeundesirable substances such as impurities and bacteria in the water.

In some illustrative embodiments, a connecting seat 208 for fixing thelower water pipe 252 of the water pump 205 is provided within the waterchannel 241, so that the lower water pipe 252 does not move due to waterflow during pumping of water.

In some illustrative embodiments, the water pump 205 and the waterchannel 241 are placed inside a housing of the humidifying device. Thewater tank 202 is separate from the housing of the humidifying device,and the humidifying housing is provided with a groove for having thewater tank placed therein. The housing of the humidifying devicecomprises a humidifying top to cover 201, a front humidifying housing204, and a rear humidifying housing 203. The water pump 205 and thewater channel 241 are both disposed within front humidifying housing204. The rear humidifying housing 203 is connected together with thefront humidifying housing 204 via connecting members such as bolts orslots. The humidifying top cover 201 is fastened to the upper surfacesof the above two housings and is fixedly connected together therewith toform the housing of the humidifying device. The rear humidifying housing203 is provided with a groove the structure of which matches with thewater tank 202, so that the water tank 202 can be freely detached fromthe housing of the humidifying device for the convenience of the user.

Optionally, a slide rail 231 may be provided at the bottom of the grooveand a slideway may be provided in the corresponding position on thebottom of the water tank 202 to facilitate the removal of the water tank202 more quickly and effortlessly.

In some illustrative embodiments, the humidifying device comprises anair duct penetrating through the humidifying device. The water channel241 surrounds the air duct.

The specific arrangement may be as follows: after the front humidifyinghousing 204 mates with the rear humidifying housing 203, there is an airinlet 209 dedicated for ventilation at the bottom of the humidifyingdevice. The water channel 241 has a hollow design that surrounds the airduct and increases the rate of water evaporation around the air duct(i.e., the water channel 241) when the air passes through the waterchannel 241. An air outlet 211 for ventilation (from which water vapouris evaporated outwardly) is provided on the upper surface of thehumidifying device (i.e., the humidifying top cover 201).

Further, the air duct runs through the centre of the humidifying device.The air duct runs through the centre of the humidifying device and isalso located in the centre of the water channel 241.

Since the air duct needs to pass through the whole humidifying device,the whole humidifying device can be regarded as a ring-like structure(in cross section), the shapes of the inner and outer rings may be thesame or different, and the inner or outer ring may be of a round, squareor triangular structure. The humidifying device is preferablyconcentrically ring-shaped, and this design is more conducive toventilation and evaporation of the water vapour.

Optionally, the shape of the inner ring defines the structure of the airduct, to and the longitudinal section of the air duct may be rectangularor be of other structures such as a trapezoid; for a betterunderstanding, if the longitudinal section of the air duct isrectangular, it is approximately understood that the air duct is of acylinder or cubic structure, and if the longitudinal section is atrapezoidal, the air duct may be of a nearly circular cone structure.

In some illustrative embodiments, the humidifying device comprises apower-supply structure. The power-supply structure comprises apower-supply input structure for receiving an external power-supply anda power-supply output structure for supplying power to the outside. Thepower-supply input structure and the power-supply output structure maybe specified as power source interfaces. Optionally, a power sourceinterface is respectively provided at the top and bottom of the housingof the humidifying device. A communication interface may also beprovided at the top and bottom of the housing of the humidifying device.Further, the humidifying top cover 201 is provided with a combined powersource and communication interface, that is, a lower combined powersource and communication interface 217, and an upper combined powersource and communication interface 216 is provided at the bottom of thehumidifying device; of course, the power source interface and thecommunication interface may be two separate interfaces, and thepositions can also be correspondingly arranged according to thepositions of the interfaces of other devices which mate with thehumidifying device. The power source interface, the combined powersource and communication interface and the communication interface mayemploy the structure of the first terminal block or the second terminalblock of the connector as described above.

The overall circuit is located in the centre of the water channel 241,coinciding with the position of the air duct, the lower combined powersource and communication interface 217 is connected to a circuitconnecting member 207 on the humidifying top cover 201, and the circuitconnecting member 207 is then connected to the upper combined powersource and communication interface 216 at the bottom of the humidifyingdevice.

In order to fix in the air duct the lower combined power source andcommunication interface 217, the circuit connecting member 207 and theupper combined power source and communication interface 216 at thebottom of the humidifying device, the present invention is provided witha fixing frame 218 at the bottom of the humidifying device for fixedlyconnecting the components to described above.

The humidifying device is provided with a connecting structure which isconnected to the other devices described above, a slot 212 may beprovided on the humidifying top cover 201 and a jaw 232 on the housingat the bottom of the humidifying device, so that the humidifying deviceis connected to the corresponding slot or jaw of the other device in amating manner. Further, if the connection mode is snap-fit, magnetcomponents may be attached to the humidifying device and other devicesto make the mutual attraction between the devices be secure andfacilitate mounting; of course, the magnet components may also bedesigned separately from the connection structure so that thehumidifying device is connected to the other devices by means ofattraction.

With the above embodiment, the following effects can be achieved: asimple structure, a good safety performance, no “white-powder”pollution, and easy to clean the device; and the principle of naturalevaporation is adopted, such that the present invention is more greenand healthy.

Reference is made to FIGS. 26-29, which are respectively first throughfourth schematic views of a further humidifying device in someillustrative embodiments of the present invention.

In some optional embodiments, the humidifying device comprises an airduct penetrating axially through the humidifying device, a water tank201 b for storing water, and a filter element 204 b disposed in thewater tank, wherein the water tank 201 b surrounds the air duct.

In the pure humidifying device of the prior art, a water tank specialfor storing water is generally provided, and then the function ofevaporating humidification is realized by means of a water channel (or awater reservoir); in this embodiment, only the water tank 201 b isprovided, which water tank 201 b is configured as shown in FIG. 28, andmay be regarded as a water channel, and the water tank 201 b is not onlyused for storing water, but also serves as a water channel. This designsimplifies the structure of the prior art humidifying device and makesefficient use of the space, and the water tank 201 b can be designed tobe larger without considering the space occupied by the water channel.

Furthermore, since the water tank 201 b surrounds the air duct, thewater tank 201 b has a hollow structure, allowing the wind to passthrough the water tank 201 b, so as to remove the water vapour aroundthe air duct, i.e., the water vapour in the water tank 201 b, which canrapidly play the role of humidification.

In some optional embodiments, an inner wall 211 b of the water tank 201surrounds the air duct, and the filter element 204 b is provided with acavity penetrating through the upper and lower surfaces of the filterelement. The filter element 204 b is fitted over the outer side of theinner wall 201 b of the water tank via the cavity. The filter element204 b functions to improve the evaporation efficiency and purify thewater in the water tank; therefore, the filter element 204 b is alsodesigned to annularly extend along the air duct to match with theannular structure in the water tank 201 b so as to allow the air to passthrough the water tank 201 b and also to pass through the filter element204 b, thereby increasing the humidifying rate.

Further, in order to increase the area of the filter element 204 b incontact with the wind, in the process of designing the cavity structureof the filter element 204 b, the filter element 204 b is higher than theinner wall 211 b of the water tank 201 b. The inner wall 211 b of thewater tank 201 b is lower than the outer wall 212 b, and the height ofthe filter element 204 b is the same as the height of the outer wall 212b; therefore, the area of the filter element 204 b in contact with thewind throughout the humidification process comprises, in addition to thearea of the upper surface, the area of a side wall of the filter element204 b that is higher than the inner wall 211 b.

Further, the cavity of the filter element 204 b may be further modifiedsuch that the area of the bottom of the cavity is larger than the areaof the top of the cavity, that is, the cavity of the filter element 204b is shaped to have a larger upper opening and a smaller lower openingto increase the area of the side surface in contact with the wind, sothat the wind is in better contact with the filter element 204 b andremoves water vapour.

Optionally, the part of the filter element 204 b that is higher than theinner wall of the water tank may be provided with a bent portion whichis bent inwardly, so as to achieve the following effects: first,increasing the area of the filter element 204 b in contact with thewind; second, increasing the area of the upper surface of the filterelement 204 b; and third, making the wind in full contact with thefilter element 204 b due to the reduced upper opening, so as to removemore water vapour.

Optionally, the filter element 204 b may be designed to be tapered, andthe structure of the inner wall of the corresponding water tank 201 bmay be configured accordingly.

In some illustrative embodiments, the water tank 201 b is separate fromthe housing of the humidifying device, and the humidifying housing isprovided with a groove for having the water tank placed therein.

The housing of the humidifying device comprises a humidifying top cover205 b, a humidifying housing 202 b, an inner humidifying housing 203 band a humidifying chassis 209 b. The inner humidifying housing 203 b isfixedly connected to the humidifying housing 204 b in such a manner asto be screw-connected, adhesive bonded or snap-fitted etc., the innerhumidifying housing 203 b is provided with a groove the structure ofwhich matches with the water tank 201 b, so that the water tank 201 bcan be freely detached from the housing of the humidifying device forthe convenience of the user. The upper portion of the water tank 201 bis then connected to the inner humidifying housing 203 b via an upperconnecting bar 206 b, and the lower portions of the inner humidifyinghousing 203 b and the humidifying housing 202 b are fixedly connected tothe humidifying chassis 209 b in such a manner as to be screw-connected,adhesive bonded or snap-fitted etc.

Furthermore, the bottom of the inner humidifying housing 203 b is spacedfrom the humidifying chassis 209 b by a certain distance, and ahumidifying computer board (i.e. a humidifying PCB) for controlling thehumidifying device is provided in the gap between the humidifying casing202 b and the inner humidifying housing 203 b; the side of the innerhumidifying housing 203 b that is surrounded by the humidifying housing202 b may be fixed to the humidifying chassis 209 b via a bolt and thebottom edge of the other side of the inner humidifying housing 203 b maybe connected to the humidification chassis 209 b via the lowerconnecting bar 207 b.

Optionally, a slide rail may be provided on the groove of the innerhumidifying housing 203 b and a slideway may be provided in thecorresponding position on the bottom of the water tank 202 b tofacilitate the removal of the water tank 202 b more quickly andeffortlessly.

Optionally, the humidifying top cover 205 is provided with an airoutlet, the upper surface of the filter element 204 in the water tank201 can be observed from the air outlet, that is, it is understood thatthe upper surface of the filter element 204 is exposed to the air, sothat the diameter of the air outlet is prevented from being designed toosmall, hindering the evaporation and escaping rates of the water vapour.

Optionally, the humidifying top cover 205 b is not disposed directly onthe upper surface which is formed by the inner humidifying housing 203 band the upper connecting bar 206 b, and the humidifying top cover 205 bis spaced from the upper surface at a distance in which a series ofassemblies are provided, such as a power source interface and acommunication interface. A lower power source interface 213 b and alower communication interface 214 b are provided on the humidifying topcover 205 b; and similarly, a corresponding upper power source interface211 b and upper communication interface 212 b are also provided on thehumidifying chassis. Therefore, it is necessary to provide an insulatingcover 210 b for insulating the water vapour between the humidifying topcover 205 b and the upper surface which is formed by the innerhumidifying housing 203 b and the upper connecting bar 206 b, and thehumidifying top cover 205 b is fixedly connected to the insulating cover210 b. The lower power source interface 213 b, the lower communicationinterface 214 b, the upper power source interface 211 b and the uppercommunication interface 212 b may employ the structure of the firstterminal block or the second terminal block of the connector asdescribed above.

In some optional embodiments, the air duct runs through the centre ofthe humidifying device and is also located in the centre of the filterelement 204 b.

Since the air duct needs to pass through the whole humidifying device,the whole humidifying device can be regarded as a ring-like structure(in cross section), the shapes of the inner and outer rings may be thesame or different, and the inner or outer ring may be of a round, squareor triangular structure; and the humidifying device is preferablyconcentrically ring-shaped, i.e. the structure as shown in FIGS. 17-20,and this design is more conducive to ventilation and evaporation of thewater vapour.

Optionally, the shape of the inner ring defines the structure of the airduct, and the longitudinal section of the air duct may be rectangular orbe of other structures such as a trapezoid; for a better understanding,if the longitudinal section of the air duct is rectangular, it isapproximately understood that the air duct is of a cylinder or cubicstructure, and if the longitudinal section is a trapezoidal, the airduct may be of a nearly circular cone structure.

Optionally, the humidifying device is provided with a connectingstructure which is connected to the other devices as described above;the connecting structure may be a guiding structure, such as a guidegroove and a guide post, the to guide post and the corresponding guidegroove of the respective devices being arranged to mate with each other,for example, a guide groove 215 b is provided on the humidifying topcover 205 b, and a guide post is provided on the humidifying chassis. Inaddition, a lower magnet 216 b and an upper magnet 217 b may be alsorespectively provided on the humidifying top cover 205 b and thehumidifying chassis 209 b, so that the humidifying device is connectedto other devices by means of attraction.

With the above embodiment, the following effects can be achieved: asimple structure, a good safety performance, no “white-powder”pollution, and easy to clean the device; and the principle of naturalevaporation is adopted, such that the present invention is more greenand healthy.

The various embodiments of the present specification are described in aprogressive manner, each of the embodiments is explained with prioritygiven to the points different from those of the other embodiments, andthe same and similar parts of the various embodiments can be referred toeach other. The foregoing description of the disclosed embodiments willenable those skilled in the art to implement or use the presentinvention. Numerous modifications to these embodiments will be readilyapparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles definedherein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing fromthe spirit or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the presentinvention is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but isto be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novelfeatures disclosed herein.

1. A humidifying device, characterized by comprising an air ductdisposed inside the humidifying device, a water channel for storingwater, and a filter element disposed in the water channel, wherein thewater channel surrounds an outer wall of the air duct, the filterelement is provided with a cavity penetrating through the upper andlower surfaces of the filter element, and the filter element is fittedover the top of the air duct through the cavity and extends into thewater channel.
 2. The humidifying device according to claim 1,characterized in that the filter element is higher than an inner wall ofthe water channel.
 3. The humidifying device according to claim 2,characterized in that the area of the bottom of the cavity is greaterthan that of the top of the cavity.
 4. The humidifying device accordingto claim 1, characterized in that the air duct is cylindrical orconical.
 5. The humidifying device according to claim 2, characterizedin that the part of the filter element that is higher than the innerwall of the water channel is provided with a bent portion which is bentinwardly.
 6. The humidifying device according to claim 1, characterizedin that the air duct runs through the centre of the humidifying device.7. The humidifying device according to claim 1, characterized in thatthe water channel is separate from the housing of the humidifyingdevice, and the humidifying housing is provided with a groove forplacing the water channel.
 8. The humidifying device according to claim7, characterized in that a slide rail is provided on the groove of thehumidifying housing such that a slideway at the bottom of the waterchannel matches with the slide rail.
 9. The humidifying device accordingto claim 2, characterized in that the humidifying device is of acylinder-shaped structure.
 10. An air handling system, characterized bycomprising a base and one or more air handling devices disposed on thebase, the air handling devices comprising a humidifying device, adehumidifying device or a purifying device, wherein the humidifyingdevice is the humidifying device as claimed in claim 1.